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Matthew Alexander, a local Pokémon GO organizer, talks about the new high-tech scavenger hunt game played by using a cell phone. He also offers game and safety tips for players. Bob BrawdyTri-City Herald

Matthew Alexander, a local Pokémon GO organizer, talks about the new high-tech scavenger hunt game played by using a cell phone. He also offers game and safety tips for players. Bob BrawdyTri-City Herald

Tri-Cities catches Pokémon GO fever

It was after 10:30 a.m. Monday when the Howard Amon Park arch came under “attack” in Richland. A group of a half-dozen people could be seen wandering toward the area.

Wearing mostly red, they all yelled, “Team Valor!”

Law enforcement officials are concerned about these activities, but not because of the “attacks.”

Others will notice nothing more than a bunch of people walking around with their cellphones out.

The action takes place on Pokémon GO, a wildly popular smartphone game released late last week.

Players, or “trainers,” have been coming together across the country to join in on what can best be described as a giant virtual scavenger hunt for virtual creatures. Trainers then choose teams — red, blue or yellow — to hold down “trainer gyms” placed at certain landmarks so they can move up levels in the game.

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The game uses a real-time GPS tracking system, which encourages players to walk around their own communities and meet people to hunt for new virtual monsters.

It’s got great support.

John Fischer of Kennewick

D’angelo Marple, 18, of Kennewick, said he hatched one of his Pokémon eggs with a combination of walking and other activity that involves any sort of movement.

“The point is to walk it, but you can cheat it a little bit,” Marple said.

Local landmarks and businesses also play a part, serving as Pokéstops to collect items for players to use, or “trainer gyms,” for personal battles to take place, another element that encourages local traveling.

Matthew Alexander, 27, of Kennewick, said the game has helped him with previous anxieties as he ventures out to meet new people.

“Getting out and meeting people like this is so comfortable and I don’t have to worry about it,” he said.

John Fischer, 26, of Richland, concentrates on his cellphone screen Monday while taking part in the popular smartphone Pokémon GO game at Howard Amon Park in Richland. Watch a video at tricityherald.com/video. Read the story on Page 2A. Bob BrawdyTri-City Herald

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